Fides Media Living the Faith
By Mercy Hill
It was six events in one as the Agulu Catholic Community in Anambra State on Sunday 17 July 2022, celebrated the priestly ordination of their son, Rev Fr Calistus Chukwunonso Obiekwe, MSP; final profession of their daughters, Rev Sr Jacinta Ukamaka Okafor, SJGS; Rev Sr Felicia Enechukwu, HHCI.
The event which took place at Madonna Assumpta Parish, Agulu, also had the silver jubilee celebration of their daughters, Rev Mother Mary Ruphina Chukwuka, OSB; Rev Sr Mary Ifeoma Odili, DMMM; and Rev Sr Dominic Okwuchi, OCV.
In his opening remarks at the Mass, the parish priest and the Dean of Agulu Deanery, Rev Fr Dr Joel Okechukwu, thanked God for the gift of his priests and religious from Agulu, who, he said, had been representing the community well in their vocations. He thanked God for giving them another addition of a newly ordained priest from the Missionary Society of St Paul, MSP, and then he prayed for their continued faithful service to God and mankind.
In his homily during the Mass, Rev Fr Cyprian Ijezie, MSP, spoke on making the right decisions and explained that people’s decisions determined their growth or death. He noted that one’s decision in life affected not only oneself but everyone around him. As such, he urged the congregation to always make the right decisions dependent on Christ.
For the celebrants, he commended them for taking the right decision to be labourers in the vineyard of God as he urged them to continue with their candle lit.
The cleric advised them to avoid anything that could drift them away from the doctrines of Christ and his teachings; even as he also advised them to always be with their sheep and not be found among those who wander about without consciousness of their mission. ‘Be around your sheep and avoid wandering about,’ he advised.
Speaking on behalf of the Agulu Priests, Religious, Aspirants and Seminarians Association, APRASA, Rev Fr Cajetan Obiekezie, thanked the parishioners for always celebrating their own as he advised the celebrants to be good ambassadors of the Church of Christ.
In their address of welcome, the Agulu Pastoral Council thanked God for the gift of his servants to the community as they presented the six celebrants with cash gifts and a car gift to the newly ordained priest, Rev Fr Calistus Chukwunonso Obiekwe, MSP.
In his vote of thanks, Rev Fr Calistus Obiekwe thanked them for their love for them and for
showering them with gifts and prayers.
